My interest in acupuncture grew naturally out of my own healing journey. In 1984, I was involved in a car accident with an 18-wheeler that changed the course of my life. It happened in a split second, and resulted in a traumatic brain injury, fractured spine, sciatica nerve pain down both legs, and nerve pain down both arms.
The first year after the accident, due to the pain, I slept only one or two hours a night. Because of the traumatic brain injury, I often got lost going to the most familiar places. I forgot how to add or subtract. Inexplicably, I walked away from conversations in mid sentence. I was unable to work for a year and, eventually, I realized that I could no longer do the physical labor required of a physical therapist. Gradually the most severe symptoms improved, but the accident changed my inner and outer worlds dramatically.
Although I continued to experience problems, I made the decision to go to medical school. To my utter amazement, I did well and completed a family practice residency serving as chief resident in my final year. My medical degree did not come easily or without a price. I looked normal and, by most standards, I appeared to be functioning quite well. Yet, I knew I needed to continue healing. Seeking out many different approaches, I found a few that helped but none seemed to get to the root of the problem.
Soon after completing my residency, I took my first course in acupuncture and knew immediately that I wanted to pursue this for my patients and for myself. I began offering acupuncture to my family practice patients, and observed how well they improved.
I was eager to further my training when I learned about a four-year advanced Traditional Chinese Acupuncture program for physicians. I enrolled, and discovered that this was the depth of training I had been searching for. The theory of acupuncture was explained using Chinese philosophy while respecting our training and experiences in Western medicine.
At the same time, I was treated with acupuncture at a profound level for my injuries under the guidance of my teacher, Anita Cignolini, M.D. Over a period of two years I underwent several courses of treatment and began to improve more than I ever dreamed possible. The most profound change was in my renewed connection to my self. Gradually, I regained my energy, the pain lessened, and I had the sense that my life had been given back to me.
My years of study with Dr. Cignolini enable me to provide this deep level of acupuncture to my own patients, integrating all I know in both Western and Chinese medicine. In 2001, I established my own Traditional Chinese Acupuncture practice in Dallas, Texas. I believe life takes us where we need to go, and it brings me great joy to help my patients along on their own healing journeys.